Sporting KC acquire Opara in deal with Earthquakes

We are only a few weeks into the offseason, and Sporting Kansas City are already beginning to look like one of the MLS Cup favorites.

On the same day that the club re-signed Defender of the Year Matt Besler, Sporting KC announced that they acquired centerback Ike Opara from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for their natural second round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.

“Ike is a player we had very high on our draft board three years ago. If we had the top two picks, we would have selected both him and Teal (Bunbury),” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said in a statement released by the club. “He possesses all of the qualities and characteristics of becoming a top-level central defender in MLS. We are excited about all of his potential and look forward to working with him in the preseason.”

Opara joins a Sporting KC team that already has Besler and Aurelien Collin as its starting centerbacks. But with the club scheduled to play in a number of competitions in 2013, including the CONCACAF Champions League, there should be ample opportunity for the 23-year-old to see time.

Opara was drafted by the Earthquakes with the third overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. In his three seasons in San Jose, Opara played in 35 league games (22 of which he started) and scored three goals.

—–

What do you think of Sporting KC landing Opara? How do you think he will fare there? Do you consider Sporting KC to be among the favorites for MLS Cup in 2013?

It’s a damn shame that Opara lost two years with foot injuries. If he had played those games, I really think he would have become an excellent defender. But as it is, he didn’t improve enough to justify his Generation Adidas salary.

I hope John Doyle has several experienced central defenders lined up. Bernardez and Hernandez are solid CBs, but if one of them is injured or suspended, Quakes have no Plan B other than moving Justin Morrow to the center.

I’m not overly excited about Hernandez as a starter. They definitely need to lock in Bernardez and then bring in another high quality CB. I wouldn’t be surprised if they drafted a CB and flank defender to groom for the future. I’m happy Opara moved to a quality side with a good coach.

My best guess is that SJ removed him from the Re-Entry Draft eligible list in order to trade him. SKC didn’t want to let Opara into the Draft because they had the 14th pick, so they gave up the draft pick to SJ.

thats about it- except it was a second round pick (33rd overall i think).

I so very much wanted Ike to be the next big thing, but his one-on-one defending and man-marking was just not good enough on a consistent basis. closing down a player at speed and making tackles was many times very good, but just because of how fast he was. he also would miss with those tackles and would just be on the wrong side of the forward on a regular basis.

Quakes are gonna have sign a defender and draft a couple for depth now. whether or not Dawkins returns means we’re still on the hunt for at least one other attacking midfielder who can play centrally. Oh, and pay Wondo his money of course.

Jeez, just how are any other Eastern conference teams planning to compete with KC? Not only did they retain the best defense in the league, they managed to upgrade it. I’m curious if any other MLS team has ever had so many current and former US national teamers in their lineup: Convey, Bunbury, Sapong, Zusi, Feilhaber, Besler, and potentially Opara and Meyers. Not to mention Kamara who’s a regular with Sierra Leone. It truly is amazing the talent KC has managed to amass in a league with such a tight salary cap.

Haha KC have fun with the “baby deer” everytime he steps onto the field it looks like he just learning to run again. Really awkward in all facets of the game, he is athletic tho. Never lived up to anything.

thats exactly what i was thinking. LONG TERM. kansas city will probably lose besler, even though he just resigned, following next year. i think besler and zusi will both go to europe next winter on atleast loan deals to prepare for world cup 14. if they impress it may be hard to keep them.

Ask LA how effective Ike was in the second leg of this year’s Western Conference Final.

Ike might be good in the future and I wish him well, but injuries and an overreliance on athleticism have hindered his development. He is not a third-year pro; poor awareness and positioning make him a big liability. Quakes fans started calling him the baby dear because of this… and because of his posture while running. It’s kinda weird. I won’t say good riddance, but I’m not worried about my team facing him.